GSL + Subgroup: LGBTQ+ Reading Group: About

Gender Studies Lab

The Gender Studies Lab is a faculty and student network consisting of those who share an interest in gender and sexuality studies. More specifically, we are concerned with issues related to gender, sexuality, and feminism as well as the ways in which race, class, colonialism, capitalism, and socialism co-constitute or reproduce gendered hierarchies. We organize various regular events, including lectures, workshops, discussions, and conferences, to create a collegial and supportive academic community at DKU. Responsive to the constellation of feminist discourses in swiftly-changing Post-reform China—from official state discourses on women’s emancipation, to “New Left” Feminism, to liberal or neo-liberal feminisms, to an active Me-Too Movement—we are deeply interested in subjects related to gender and emancipation, both in China and internationally.

The Gender Studies Initiative of the Humanities Research Center seeks to promote research, teaching and campus engagement at DKU on the following themes:

  • Gender and inequality, gender and exploitation, gender and oppression
  • Sexuality and gendered identity formation
  • Feminisms
  • LGBTQ+ liberation

The initiative is co-chaired by a committee consisting of Professors Hyun Jeong Ha, Jesse Olsavsky, and Megan Rogers.

Intro. to LGBTQ+ Reading Group:

By establishing a supportive and safe professional community for DKU teachers and students, with a primary focus on LGBTQ+ topics, the LGBTQ+Reading Group is for DKU faculty, staff, and students who are interested in fostering inclusive education and developing cultural competence with the LGBTQ+ Community. Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness, and Justice is an essential topic in academia. Despite its wide discussion in academia, at the practical level, it still poses a challenge for educators seeking to enhance their teaching practices. It is crucial to ensure that educational materials and curricula are inclusive, relevant, and engaging for all students while creating safe and inclusive learning environments. Engaging in discussions on these topics among DKU faculty and staff promises to be rewarding. Further, as most DKU students have the opportunity to study abroad, it becomes increasingly important to prepare them for their experiences in the U.S. This includes addressing their cultural competency, fostering awareness, and providing guidance on navigating diverse cultural contexts. These skills will contribute significantly to their socialization within the local community abroad.